PIMEX gains strength in 3rd year

by Image Asia Events on 25 Aug 2005 Following on from the unprecedented success of Evason Phuket Raceweek, held from 28-31 July and hailed by participants as “the most exciting mixed fleet regatta this region has seen in quite some time”, organizers Image Asia Events are moving into the final phase of planning for PIMEX 2005, the 3rd Phuket International Marine Expo, to be held from 8-11 December 2005.

PIMEX 2004 was a resounding success, with at least US$10 million of business transacted. “We sold more on the first day of PIMEX 2004 than we have ever sold during the whole duration of any other regional boat show,” said Vinai Jongdee, MD of Thailand’s biggest manufacturer & exporter of marine accessories.

On top of the boats and marine equipment sold, the agencies and dealerships established and the networking opportunities realised, PIMEX 2004 demonstrated that it is not just about marine hardware. “One Ferrari and one Maserati were sold during the show. Contracts were signed on at least one luxury villa and countless leads on condominiums and apartments were picked up by exhibitors in the property section,” said Grenville Fordham, Image Asia managing director.

Reinforcing the concept that yachts and property are complementary, in a recent interview with Thailand Property Report, Nigel Cornick, CEO of Raimon Land said, ‘A great deal of synergy exists between the marine leisure and property markets and this will become increasingly evident as both industries continue to develop in Thailand.’

Since last year’s show, things have moved on in Thailand’s marine leisure industry. Royal Phuket Marina is scheduled to be in business by the time PIMEX 2005 opens its doors; Yacht Haven Marina is adding more berths and is due to move ahead with its marina property development; the 240-acre, 500-berth Paradise Bay Marina on Phuket’s East coast will break ground this year; plans are well underway for the government-backed Chalong Bay mega marina project, while Phuket’s first West coast facility, the 86-berth Layan Marina, is now confirmed and in the advanced stages of planning.

On the cards too, but still in early stages of planning, is the much-talked-about marina at Ao Po (East coast) and a marina project delayed during the 1997 Asian financial crisis just north of Phuket at Thai Muang is being resurrected.

Nor is the south alone in making progress. Jomtien, just outside Pattaya – home to both Ocean Marina and Royal Varuna Yacht Club – is the site for the new 54-berth View Talay residential marina.

At the same time, Thai government moves to liberalise a wide range of restrictions affecting the marine leisure industry move forward and marine tourism is high on the tourism agenda, with significant marketing budgets allocated accordingly.

As we saw at PIMEX 2004, many former exhibitors are returning for PIMEX 2005 – many in greater strength, particularly the most active marine exporters, the Australians. And in 2005, New Zealand will have its first serious presence with Warwick Yacht Designs, Maxwell Marine and a group from the trade association NZ Marine.

In a communication to its membership, NZ Marine had the following to say about PIMEX: ‘This exciting show, now in its third year, offers NZ Marine Members a unique opportunity to participate in what is becoming one of Asia’s premier Boat Shows. We are an in a unique position [because of the recently signed FTA] to capitalise in a market that no longer has duty on imported boats. The only other country that has signed an FTA with Thailand is Australia and, make no mistake, they are already capitalising on this big time!’

As if to confirm the latter, the roll call of PIMEX’s Australian exhibitors continues to grow, with the addition this year of boatbuilders Mustang, Leisure Cat, Sunrunner and others.